A SCANDINAVIAN JOURNEY
Blue-Roads | Europe
From the castles of Denmark to the picturesque islands of Sweden and the history of Norway's capital, this summertime Scandinavian journey ticks off all that's unique about the Nordics. Combining breathtaking scenery with insightful local experiences, memorable accommodations and fascinating legends, there's no better way to get under the skin of this lesser-travelled corner of Europe.
TOUR CODE:
BEHSJCO-2 Thank You for Choosing Blue-Roads
Thank you for choosing to travel with Back-Roads Touring. We can’t wait for you to join us on the mini-coach!
About Your Tour Notes THE BLUE-ROADS DIFFERENCE Enjoy a scenic cruise along the famous Göta Canal in Sweden These tour notes contain everything you need to know Immerse yourself in Denmark's rich before your tour departs – including where to meet, history during a visit to Frederiksborg what to bring with you and what you can expect to do Castle and palatial gardens on each day of your itinerary. You can also print this Explore the picturesque Swedish document out, use it as a checklist and bring it with you island of Marstrand on tour.
TOUR CURRENCIES Please Note: We recommend that you refresh this document one week before your tour + Denmark - DKK departs to ensure you have the most up-to-date + Sweden - SEK accommodation list and itinerary information + Norway - NOK available. Your Itinerary
DAY 1 | COPENHAGEN
Our incredible journey will begin in the Nordic capital of Copenhagen – where we’ll meet our Tour Leader and fellow travel companions. After settling into our hand-picked hotel, we’ll enjoy a sumptuous welcome dinner together. Here’s to the exciting adventure ahead! Accommodation: Absalon Hotel (or similar)
MEALS: Dinner
DAY 2 | COPENHAGEN – MALMÖ – COPENHAGEN
After breakfast, we’ll bid farewell to Denmark for the day and move on to Malmö in Sweden – crossing the famous Øresund Bridge along the way. When we get there, we’ll step inside Malmöhus Castle – where we’ll experience 1,000 years of fascinating history, from the Viking Age to the 20th-century. After an insightful morning, we’ll make tracks to Lund – where we’ll pay a visit to the city’s majestic Romanesque Cathedral. After admiring the Cathedral interior and astrological clock – dating back to the 1400’s – we’ll enjoy some free time to wander the city at our leisure. Back in Copenhagen this evening, we’ll have plenty of free time to spend enjoy the city’s gastronomic delights or relaxing at the hotel. Accommodation: Absalon Hotel (or similar)
MEALS: Breakfast
DAY 3 | COPENHAGEN – ROSKILDE – SNEKKERSTEN
After breakfast, we'll wave goodbye to cosmopolitan Copenhagen and hit the road to Roskilde - where we'll dive straight into proceedings with a visit to the medieval Cathedral. This incredible site is the final resting place of Viking kings Harald Bluetooth and his son Sweyn Forkbeard, not to mention dozens of former Danish kings and queens. Following our visit, we'll move on to Hillerød - where we'll be treated to a guided tour of Frederiksborg Castle. Then: we'll make a short pit stop at Fredensborg Palace - the summer residence of the Danish royal family - on our way to Snekkersten. After a history-filled day, we'll have this evening to spend at our leisure at the hotel or seeking out a local restaurant in the quaint fishing village. Accommodation: Comwell Borupgaard (or similar)
MEALS: Breakfast DAY 4 | SNEKKERSTEN – GOTHENBURG
After breakfast we'll continue north through the picturesque Swedish countryside to Gothenburg: the country's second largest city. Along the way we'll have the opportunity to snap a few pictures of the imposing Kronborg Castle - home to the famed Danish prince, Hamlet. Later on this afternoon, we'll take to the water for a nautical city tour aboard a Paddan boat - weaving under no fewer than 20 bridges as we take in the old moat and 17th-century canals. And this evening? We'll regroup at our accommodation in Gothenburg and savour a delicious meal together. Accommodation: Hotel Riverton (or similar)
MEALS: Breakfast Dinner
DAY 5 | GOTHENBURG – MARSTRAND – GOTHENBURG
On the agenda today, we'll make our way to the small township of Koön - where we'll board a ferry for the short ride to the picturesque island of Marstrand. After getting our bearings around this car-free island, we'll have some free time to hunt down some excellent seafood at a local restaurant, enjoy a coffee and pastries at Bergs bakery (a Marstrand institution) or perhaps pay a visit to the impressive Carlsten fortress. This afternoon, we'll travel back to the mainland and spend the rest of the evening exploring Gothenburg at our leisure. Accommodation: Hotel Riverton (or similar)
MEALS: Breakfast
DAY 6 | GOTHENBURG – TÖREBODA – KARLSTAD
This morning it’s back on the road, as we set our sights on the town of Töreboda. Here, we’ll climb aboard a small passenger ferry for an unforgettable journey along the Göta Canal – a beautifully scenic waterway built in the early 1800’s. Along the way, we’ll stop at Lyrestad, where we’ll have time to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant of our choosing. After cruising by countless ancient trees, rolling fields, traditional houses and country landscapes, we’ll board the mini-coach once more and make our way to Karlstad. This evening, we’ll enjoy some free time to enjoy Karlstad’s local hospitality or put our feet up at the hotel. Accommodation: Elite Stadshotellet Karlstad (or similar)
MEALS: Breakfast DAY 7 | KARLSTAD – OSLO
Today, we'll set a course for our final destination: the Norwegian capital, Oslo. But the tour's not over yet - when we get there, we'll meet a local guide who'll show us the likes of the unique City Hall, Akershus Fortress, the Royal Palace and the Opera House on a city tour. We'll even have time to visit the Viking Ship Museum, where five original 11th-century ships will provide a unique insight into this fascinating era of history. This evening, we'll come to together and enjoy one final meal together. What a wonderful way to celebrate this incredible journey! Accommodation: Clarion Collection Folketeateret (or similar)
MEALS: Breakfast Dinner
DAY 8 | OSLO
After breakfast this morning, we’ll say our goodbyes and go our separate ways.
MEALS: Breakfast Tour Information
Meals Blue-Roads Travel App INCLUDED MEALS
Breakfast (B) is included daily. Why not check in for your tour using the Back- Some of your lunches and dinners are also Roads app? included, either in hotels or local restaurants. This handy tool allows you to view your These are indicated by (L) and (D) in the bookings, check your itinerary, see tour maps itinerary. and more – making it the perfect travel Please note that drinks will not always be companion for your Back-Roads trip. included. How to Download the Back-Roads app We will do our best to accommodate any specific dietary requirements you may have. 1. Launch the App Store or Google Play on Please ensure to make these clear to us your device before your tour begins so we can 2. Search ‘Back-Roads’ and click ‘OK’ communicate them to our hotels, restaurants 3. Select the Back-Roads app in the search and suppliers. results 4. Click the download/install button 5. The app should be installed in your device’s applications page
Other Information
Finances
CHANGING MONEY SPENDING MONEY CASH: Foreign money can be changed at Naturally, everyone’s spending varies. Many of banks, airports, railway and tube stations, and your meals are included in the price of your at major hotels (though at a less favourable tour, so this just leaves a few meals and your rate) personal spending to budget for. CREDIT CARDS: Visa and MasterCard are widely Tips for the Tour Leader and Driver are not accepted. American Express is only accepted in included. Tipping is entirely at your some larger establishments discretion; however, if you feel you have CASH MACHINES: ATMS are widely available received exceptional service, it is recommended that you tip £1-2/€ per day for Drivers and £4-5/€ per day for Tour Leaders.
Insurance Passports and Visas
You will need to take out full travel insurance We advise you either to carry a photocopy of before travelling with Back-Roads Touring. your passport (and visa, if applicable) with you Please ensure that you have adequate medical, while abroad, or to ensure that you leave a personal effects and cancellation cover. copy with relatives back at home. We recommend that you carry your insurance This will enable the local embassy or high details with you at all times. You may be asked commission to arrange a replacement if the to provide details of your medical insurance or original should be lost or stolen. a payment guarantee in some countries before If you do take copies with you on your trip, medical assistance can be provided. please ensure that you keep these separate Your insurance company may not assist you from your original documents. with your claim if the instructions given in the It is your responsibility to obtain any visas policy have not been followed. necessary to enable you to travel in Europe or Asia. Contact your local consular office for more information. Transport
We travel in premium mini-coaches equipped with comfortable seats, air conditioning and large windows for enjoying the view. With far more flexibility than a standard-size coach, we’re able to take the scenic route – winding through beautiful countryside to the heart of tiny villages and coastal towns. What to Bring
Suggested Packing List Wondering what to take with you on tour? Our packing list can be used as a guide. Please Note: What you pack will depend on the countries you’re visiting and the time of year you plan to travel. The following is a suggested clothing list only, based on our experience:
Sun hat Sunglasses Shorts/skirts Long-sleeved tops Short-sleeved tops Trousers Light jacket Waterproof jacket and Warm jacket umbrella Walking shoes/comfortable shoes Smart casual evening Sleepwear Swimwear and towel wear
Other things to pack:
Multi-use travel adapter Camera Batteries Phone Personal medication Sunscreen Paracetamol or aspirin
OPTIONALS TO CONSIDER:
Motion sickness tablets Anti-diarrhoea tablets Sewing kit Lip balm
That's it!
We look forward to seeing you on tour.